NYS Gaming Commission to Study Prevalence of Underage Gambling

December 18, 2017

The New York Gaming Commission is about to begin a year-long field assessment of how well casinos, racinos, race tracks and lottery outlets are fulfilling their legal responsibility to prevent underage gambling. Starting in mid-December and continuing through much of 2018, supervised minors working for an independent contractor hired by the Commission will enter gaming establishments to try to place bets, and retail stores to try to buy lottery tickets or participate in Quick Draw. If the minor succeeds, management will be notified on the spot, and the sale will be voided, but the establishment will not be penalized. If the sale is refused, management will not be notified.

The study is being undertaken by the Commission as a member of New York’s Responsible Play Partnership along with the NYS Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services and the New York Council on Problem Gambling. Lottery officials emphasize that this is not an enforcement initiative, but a “non-punitive, academic exercise” to provide a benchmark for future efforts to prevent underage gambling.

The private contractor – TruView of Hicksville, Long Island – will submit a report to the Gaming Commission in late 2018. The data will help the Commission make recommendations on what, if any, additional actions are needed to further deter underage access to in-state gambling options. The study coincides with the fifth anniversary of the Gaming Commission’s “We Check ID” age verification program. Lottery retailers have deployed signage and provided training to their sales personnel on procedures for preventing underage sales.

Lottery agents will receive a letter from the Division of Lottery about the study with the December 29th POS package and your Lottery representative can also provide more details. Contact the State Association office if you have any questions about this study.